EXTERIOR BUILDING
Long-lasting products
are key to outdoor home
improvement projects

62

BILD
All you need to know
about building permits

SPECIAL FEATURES
BILD RENOVATION &
64
CUSTOM HOME AWARDS

The winning renovations
and companies recognized
at this year’s Awards
luncheon, including the
Renovator of the Year

NATIONAL KITCHEN &
74
BATH ASSOCIATION,

ONTARIO CHAPTER–DESIGN
COMPETITION AWARDS
Full coverage of the 2016
award-winning kitchens
and bathrooms

90

NATIONAL HOME
SHOW RECAP
The RENO & DECOR
booth served up solid
design advice. We thank
all our National Home
Show participants

DESIGN/BUILD EXPERT
70
Do you move or

19
DECOR
TREND:

Peak
Pineapple

A DREAM GARDEN
ROOM COMES TO
LIFE IN WEST
VANCOUVER

THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS:
BRING THE COTTAGE TO
THE CITY & A COUNTRY HOME
GETS SOME URBAN STYLE

Breezy looks for your

OUTDOOR SPACE
From the balcony
to the backyard

P lus

renovate? The milliondollar question

Full coverage
of both the
NATIONAL
KITCHEN & BATH
ASSOCIATION
+
BILD RENO
& CUSTOM HOME
AWARDS

WHERE TO FIND IT
78

PRODUCT SHOWCASES

86

RENOMARK DIRECTORY

96

ADVERTISER INDEX

PRODUCT SHOWCASES: Outdoor Living and Appliances

DESIGN BY NEGAR REIHANI
PHOTOGRAPHY BY COLIN PERRY

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A world
of possibilities
for your
bathroom

BELLA SEATED BASE + K2 SHOWER DOOR

ARIA VOCE TUB

GEMINI SHOWER ENCLOSURE + QUAD BASE

www.fleurco.com • www.designashower.com

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2016-05-02 11:35 AM

PIONEERS OF PROFESSIONAL
OUTDOOR KITCHENS

Professional means different things to different people. For DCS it’s about design that delivers, construction
that lasts a lifetime and performance that is consistent. Introducing the latest generation of DCS high-performance grills;
serious outdoor kitchen equipment for people who are made to grill.

DESIGNED
TO MATCH
Fisher & Paykel products are designed for every size space from
a compact apartment to a spacious family room. With the performance
required by both a weekday cook and a weekend gourmet, we
have the perfect match for your kitchen and the life lived within it.

We look forward to hearing from you and welcome your feedback.
Do you have a reno or decor question for our team of experts?
Email editorial@renoanddecor.com

building but what happened in it over those precious years.
That’s what I’m trying to convince myself as I pack up our
personal belongings—that I’ll have those memories forever.
I don’t need to say goodbye to them like I do to my view of the
harbour. The fact is, our family has grown up and it wouldn’t
matter if we had a cottage around the corner or in Timbuktu.
This is a classic tale of change; years pass and time moves
on. It isn’t our little cottage’s fault that the kids grew up, and
aren’t we glad that we had the guts to listen to our hearts
instead of our minds for once and make the bold move to
own down there in the first place. I’ll cherish those summer
holidays and the trips that I made alone in the spring when
I jumped in the car at the airport and felt the fresh breeze
on my face and a sense of freedom I haven’t known since I
was a little girl.
And so onward we move to new times and family phases.
Of course, it’s cliché but it’s going to help me when I have
to close the cottage door for the last time knowing that by
doing this, other doors will open, and I’m going to do my best
to try to enjoy the excitement of not knowing what’s around
the next corner.

Did you know
RENO & DECOR
is offered free online?
renoanddecor.com

COBI LADNER
EDITORIAL DIRECTOR

Feel free to write to me about your thoughts
of home: cobi@cobistyle.com

PHOTOGRAPHY: BY STEPHANI BUCHMAN; HAIR & MAKEUP BY JULIE LYNAS

M

y husband and I sold our little P.E.I. cottage. We
owned it for 10 years and although it wasn’t exactly
practical, it made all the sense in the world to us.
I’ve never had such mixed feelings about anything in my
life as I did about this sale. My love of planning for the future
usually helps me make decisions with strong conviction and
sureness because I’m ready to move onto the next thing. But
this time, I don’t know what the next thing will be that will
bring us the joy we’ve had from P.E.I.
I know why we sold: Our kids have grown to be young
adults and although they love the place, they have summer
jobs and commitments of their own. We could leave them
but 1,700 kilometres is a long way away and that would
bring its own set of worries (nudge, nudge, wink, wink).
If it was just that, we might have decided to rent it for a
few years and not use it ourselves. But, to be honest, it isn’t
the building we would want if we were to be there more in
our future. Another point we factored in is that real estate
prices haven’t gone up in 10 years. As Bob says, “Trust us to
find the one place in Canada to invest in real estate and see
zero increase in 10 years.” All to say, why carry something
that we can replace down the road if we so choose?
But gosh we love that place—it’s given us so much.
We exposed our kids to a completely different culture and
part of their heritage. It’s brought us incredible memories
of long days at the beach building castles and digging
trenches. It’s given us some of the best sunsets we’ve ever
seen, some of the best lobster we’ve ever tasted, and new
friends. Great times on the porch playing cards in candle
light and sunny mornings where just hanging the laundry
out on the line is pure pleasure.
I believe that’s why it’s so difficult for me to say goodbye.
Some of my best memories of our young family are wrapped
up in the place. It isn’t so much saying goodbye to the

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STAY IN TOUCH

LETTER FROM READER

JUNE/JULY 2016

Dear Cobi,
I loved reading about your trip to Ireland. Believe me, you are not an
out-of-shape wimp… and I imagine many would agree… if it helps, my
idea of camping is full-on between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m.—after that I will
be at the closest Holiday Inn—comfy, warm bed and no stairs!
D.Clarke
Dear D.,
Thanks for your letter, and for the reinforcement that disliking stairs
doesn’t translate into a lack of adventure or an impoverished physical
state of some sort. Nothing beats a good night’s rest to face all the new
adventures a vacation can offer. My travel diary certainly got a workout!
Cobi

A Honeywell
Air Purifier
Keep your air in your home clean and fresh all
year-round with a True HEPA Allergen Remover Air
Purifier from Honeywell, retail value $329.99.
Capturing 99.97 per cent of airborne allergens,
having an air purifier will help keep your home
free of odour and certain germs including: dust,
pet dander and pollen. Available at Canadian Tire,
Home Depot, and Home Hardware.

The winner of
the Dec/Jan giveaway,
the salad servers from
cobistyle is Janis G.
from Pickering.
Congratulations
Janis!

31

To enter, email editorial.contest@renoanddecor.com by July 31, 2016, and your name will be entered
for a chance to win this Honeywell Air Purifier. One entry per person, per issue. Include your full name,
address and daytime phone number to be eligible to win. Open to Canadian residents only, aged 18 and over.
No purchase necessary. Winner agrees to have their name published in an upcoming issue.

Subscribe to RENO & DECOR by going to our website, renoanddecor.com,
click on Contact, and then go to “subscribe”. You can purchase one- or
two-year subscriptions online for all of our HOMES publications. Or if you prefer,
send an email to info@renoanddecor.com, and we will contact you directly to
handle your subscription request.

The first sink of its kind - BLANCO IKONTM collection offers the popular apron front
style with all the product features of our SILGRANIT® material. The farmhouse
design of BLANCO IKONTM provides SILGRANIT®’s strength, durability and beauty.
The unique architecture and natural beauty create a focal point allowing the sink to
become the true heart of the kitchen.
BLANCO IKONTM SILGRANIT® sink - apron front masterpiece defined.

On March 11, the Building Industry and Land Development
Association (BILD) recognized the best of the GTA’s home
renovation and custom-home building industry with its annual
Renovation and Custom Home awards luncheon. HOMES
Publishing Group is the founding sponsor of the event, which
includes awards in nine distinct categories, and our RENO &
DECOR team is always proud to present the awards to all the
winners, and catch up with the industry’s finest. Congratulations
to all the finalists and winners who were recognized for their
exceptional professionalism and quality of work in 2015. For
complete coverage of the award-winning projects, see page 64.
L – R: Trish McNair Sutton, Hope McLarnon, Silvana Longo, Michael Rosset,
Fay Splett, Cobi Ladner, Jessica MacInnis, Ani Bogovic & Tony Loria

Chihuly at the ROM
The breathtaking works of art from Dale
Chihuly, the pioneer of the studio glass
movement, are coming to The Royal Ontario
Museum (ROM) this summer. On display
from June 25, 2016 to January 2, 2017,
CHIHULY will include several astonishingly
colourful and dramatic works of art that
offer a sensory adventure. Acclaimed for
his site-specific installations, the Seattlebased artist has explored the potential of
blown glass for over 50 years. “I’m pleased
to be able to bring an exhibition of my work
to the ROM,” said Chihuly. “Having been
on-site at the museum, I’m really looking
forward to presenting my work in this
uniquely designed space.” CHIHULY at the
ROM will be an immersive, visual experience
for visitors of all ages. rom.on.ca

MILLE GRAZIE PARTY
Always an industry favourite, the muchanticipated Mille Grazie party, hosted by
Stone Edge Marble & Granite president Vince
Pugliese, had party-goers happy, entertained
and well-fed throughout the entire evening.
This year the party was held on March 4 at
the Supreme Luxury Event venue in Vaughan;
between the never-ending Italian feast, wide
variety of prizes and dancing, Pugliese has
mastered the party formula for a fun-filled
evening industry peers always look forward to.
A big “mille grazie” to Stone Edge Tile…we
are grateful to be a part of it every year.
stoneedge.ca

International quartz distributor
SETS UP SHOP IN VAUGHAN
Vicostone, a leading global manufacturer of quartz with
a slab production capacity of over 25 million square
feet per year, is proud to announce the opening of their
new Canadian head office and distribution centre at
341 Edgeley Boulevard in Vaughan. Servicing over
40 countries worldwide, Vicostone offers cutting-edge
technology and sophisticated design with the largest
selection of jumbo slabs available to the market, available
in more than 50 colours and three distinct collections.
Vicostone’s reputation has been built on integrity while
providing personalized, customer service. For further
information on products, or for job opportunities, please
visit them at vicostone.ca

INDUSTRY
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
The National Kitchen and Bath
Association, Ontario Chapter,
elected HOMES Publishing
Group (HPG) into their Hall
of Fame at the annual NKBA
awards gala held on April 9
at the Universal Eventspace
venue in Woodbridge. Our
president and publisher,
Michael Rosset, was presented
with the honourable award by
newly appointed NKBA
president, Denise Turner. HPG
has supported the association
over the past 10 years and is
proud to be their official media
sponsor. Over the years, HPG
has donated hundreds of
thousands of dollars to the
NKBA in media space with
our many print and online
platforms. For a look at the
winning bathrooms and
kitchens, go to page 74.
nkba.ca

hen Canadians talk about two solicitudes, they’re usually referring to
the linguistic divide that separates
Quebec from the rest of Canada. A lesserknown sense in which la belle province is
different is in its attitude toward colour, a
fact that designer Samantha Pynn acknowledged while discussing the line of kitchen,
bed and bath decor she designed for
Quebec-based chain Simons, which opened
its first Ontario store in March.
“Quebecers are way more bold.
When I worked (at a style magazine),
the interiors in the French counterpart always seemed to have more
punch and colour,” says Pynn.
That, however, is changing. “There’s
more homogenization than before. It’s in
part because of the web—there is much
more overlap now,” she says.
Pynn knew that colour would be an
essential element of her line. Fortunately,
she says, “In my magazine work, I became
very comfortable putting together other
people’s colours to tell a story. It’s exciting
to tell my own story now.”
That tale is told in soothing shades of
charcoal, navy, lavender, sky blue, blush,
ivory and snowy white, colours which are

repeated—either in patterns or as
solids—in the bedding, shower
curtains, bath accessories, kitchenware,
table linens and pillows that comprise the
spring 2016 collection.
While the rainbow of shades includes
nods to fashion—think of the soft blue and
pink heralded as Colours of the Year by
Pantone—Pynn believes they have longevity.
“These colours are on trend, but they will
be workable for a long time. And everything
in the collection works with the other pieces,
and with what people will already have in
their home. That was important to me.”

“ We’re really excited about sleek,
contemporary outdoor furniture and
accessories. Whether you live
in the city or not, an urban approach
with elements of modern design
feels fresh this summer."
Tamara Robbins Griffith,
HomeSense Design Expert

summer CALLING
BY SILVANA LONGO

The early days of summer are like the long-awaited arrival of a cherished friend who is in town for only
a few short months. Inevitably, this means we pack in as much summertime fun as possible outdoors
with bountiful nature as our glorious backdrop. Here are R&D’s summer-enhancing picks that will dress
up your outdoor space and improve upon an already treasured time of year.

renoanddecor.com June/July 2016 :: 19

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HOME FINDS

“ Summertime is always the best
of what might be.” Charles Bowden, American Writer

NEXT STOP…
MARGARITAVILLE
Refined old-world shapes
shine in two-toned glassware
designed by Aaron Probyn.
Each handcrafted glass is
blown in Mexico of recycled
glass imported from France,
glass renowned for its clarity,
and lack of the green tint
typically seen in recycled
glass. Blue-tinted glass forms
the bowl to which a clear stem
is attached. Once cooled,
glass is given a subtle, lustre
finish. Del Mar Margarita
Glass, $15.95;
crateandbarrel.ca

MOVEABLE FEAST
When the merrymaking moves from your
backyard to a tailgate party, you need a
portable grill with supreme cooking
capacity to fire up almost anywhere.
Its small and compact design is ideal for
travel and its 258-square inches of
cooking area is perfect for family-size
meal prepping. BBQTek Portable Grill,
$198; walmart.ca

Melamine Leaf Platters,
small $3, large $6;
walmart.ca

Freshness
on the Go
PLATE ART
This sturdy, informal dinnerware set fools
the eye with the appearance of handpainted glazed ceramic. Subtly ribbed,
as if formed on the potter’s wheel and
rimmed in the natural colour of clay, the
plates have faux-glazed interiors and
colourful floral medallions that look as if
they were painted on by an artist. Ideal
for outdoor entertaining but elegant
enough for indoor use. If you’re invited,
they are packaged with a raffia bow for
easy gifting for the host. Caprice
Melamine Plates, $10.95 – $29.95;
crateandbarrel.ca

For the ultimate in store-andserve convenience, this
generous bowl with a snap-on
lid keeps food chilled and
appetizing for picnics or a day
trip to the beach. The unique
design features a freezer disc
that, when frozen for 24 hours
in advance, keeps food cold
for hours. Custom-fitted
servers snap into perfect
nesting spots on the lid so
they’re there when you need
them, eliminating the need
for extra utensils. Chill Blue
Bowl with Servers, $24.95;
crateandbarrel.ca

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HAND-CRAFTED POWER RECLINE SEATING

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HOME FINDS

“ I wonder what it would be like to live
in a world where it was always June.”

L.M. Montgomery, Canadian Author

TIKI TIME

Bring Your Own Chair

Have some fun with
your deck or backyard
setting by adding a
touch of tiki and
tropical-inspired decor
to your summer
entertaining. Hula
Beach Umbrella
(six-feet), $30;
walmart.ca

Easy and affordable hammock chairs and loungers are
portable so you can go from the backyard to the beach
in style. Palm Leaf Hammock Chair, (available in Palm,
Black or Blue Cabana Stripe), $46; walmart.ca

Yellow Leaf
Hammock,
$369; cb2.com

SIL’S
PICK

Cobi's Corner

Quaint and tasteful, cobistyle
carves a stylish nook in her
favourite classic summer hues
of blue and white and warm
touches of gold.

PRETTY
RELAXING…
Reminiscent of chairs
I have seen in outdoor
cafés in Europe, this handwoven, all-weather wicker
lounge chair is as pretty
as it is comfortable.
Perfect for sipping pinot
and enjoying gelato, albeit
under the Toronto sun.
Colorblock Woven Lounge
Chair, $559; westelm.com

CAFÉ SOCIETY
FROM NORWAY
WITH LOVE
Made of an iron,
glass and plastic
construction with a
stylish matte finish,
this eye-catching
outdoor light fixture
provides up to 137
lumens of light and
runs up to 1,000
hours. Oslo Chandelier,
$89.99;
canadiantire.ca

Night Bright
A simple wall sconce or small pendant can
be a simple way to make a backyard or
porch feel warm and inviting. By placing
accent lights at upward or downward angles
and using wall-wash lighting, you can
silhouette trees and direct shadows. Choose
post-mounted lanterns near driveways and
wall-mounted lanterns next to doors for
ease of access and to welcome guests.
For deck stairs or terraced paths, add step
lights to aid in navigation. Contact Royal
Lighting for pricing and more information
on outdoor lighting systems.
royallighting.com

The all-important side table
Rocha Outdoor
Side Table, $299;
crateandbarrel.ca

GLUCKSTEINHOME Newport-I
Set of 3 Nesting End Tables,
$399.99; thebay.com

Blooms & Plumes
Both cushions are inspired by art,
this whimsical floral pattern was
translated from an original
watercolour painting into a modern,
silk pillow cover. Roar + Rabbit
Outdoor Flower Blossom Cushion,
$69; westelm.com
The bright turquoise cushion was
inspired by an original painting;
it is an all-weather, pre-filled cushion
with this gorgeous print on both front
and back. Roar + Rabbit Thistle
Silhouette Capri Cushion, $59;
westelm.com

DEKTON XGLOSS is the new family of polished Dekton
surfaces that presents an extraordinary crystalline shine.
A unique new finish, this polish offers a radiant sparkle
unlike any other, while maintaining the well-known
physical resilience of Dekton.
THE BRIGHTEST
DEKTON PROPOSAL.
WWW.DEKTON.COM

4/19/16 2:48 PM
2016-05-02 11:31 AM

R+D

shopping
expert

CHICAGO,

a first-class city
From the luminous architecture to
the award-winning restaurants, design
aficionados revel in the city’s best

T

Chicago’s success
as a city is the
result of a longterm commitment
to forward
-thinking urban
planning.

1

2

here are several theories
about why Chicago is
dubbed the Second City.
One is that a fire in 1871 so
completely razed it that a
whole new “second” city had to be
built. And that it was. Just 22 years
later, Chicago was in a position to host
a wildly successful World Exposition.
The other refers to the city being
deemed second in size and stature to
that other great American metropolis,
New York, which it famously competed
with as the site of the Exposition.
Whatever the origin, 21st century
Chicago will delight lovers of design,
art, architecture, and culture.
First of all—where to stay? There’s
no shortage of great hotels, but The
Langham will have special appeal for
design hounds.
It’s situated in the first 13 floors of
the 52-storey AMA Plaza, which was
designed in the early 1970s by Mies
van der Rohe, the highly influential
architect who left Germany and came
to Chicago in the late 1930s.
Interior spaces are uniformly
stunning. The Langham Club includes
a library outfitted with exceptional
mid-century modern furniture,
including Ray Eames’ iconic lounge
chair. Suspended from the soaring
ceiling of the reception area is a
breathtaking installation of more than
500 glass “pebbles” created by Czech
design house Lasvit. Sprinkled through-

VICKY SANDERSON

out the hotel is a fine-art collection that
includes pieces by such important
artists as David Klamen, Enon Perez,
and Jaume Plensa.
The Langham is just steps away
from the Chicago River, which, as a link
between the Great Lakes and the
Mississippi River, ensured that the city
became a hub for transportation and
industry.
The Chicago Architecture Foundation runs several tours, including a
90-minute river tour that passes more
than 50 buildings. A visit to the Art
Institute of Chicago is a must.
A short ride from downtown is Oak
Park, home to Robie House, perhaps
the greatest existing example of Frank
Lloyd Wright’s Prairie style. The Frank
Lloyd Wright Trust conducts tours,
which can be combined with a walking
tour of the historic Oak Park neighbourhood, where U.S. President Barak
Obama has a home.
Decor lovers will want to browse the
studios in the emerging area known as
the River North Design District.
If you like the idea of combining
splendid dining and superb design, go
to Brindille, the Parisian-influenced
restaurant that won a 2015 James
Beard Award for Outstanding Restaurant Design.
Located in a century-old building, its
interior is the work of Chicago designer
Tom Nahabedian. Silk-velvet wallcoverings, walnut finishes with rich

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3

4

1 Chicago’s River North Design
District has a Canadian connection
– a showroom for Montauk Sofa.
2 Subtle references to trees in lighting
and hardware can be seen in
Brindille’s host area and bar.
3 Chefs work in a glass enclosure at
The Langham’s Travelle Restaurant.
Photo courtesy of The Langham.

brass accents warm the room, while
a large forest-inspired piece by local
artist Lora Forsberg plays on the
theme of branches (Brindille is the
French word for branch).
Nahabedian’s cousin, Chef Carrie,
already famous for Chicago eatery
Naha, oversees the exquisite menu.
For a uniquely American menu,
and to see walls lined with 600 of a
1,600-long wine list, head back to the
Langham’s Travelle restaurant, which
overlooks another famous landmark,
the circular Marina Towers.
After a visit to Chicago, you may
be ready to offer yet another interpretation of its nickname: second to
none.

Visit Aspen Wood Floors to explore the more than
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in an infinite variety of colours, widths, and finishes.
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Hickory Terra Nova

4 Chicago architect Dirk Lohan ­– and
grandson of Mies van der Rohe –
worked on the design of the hotel’s
entrance lobby. Photo courtesy of
The Langham.

Aspen Wood Floors Awarded
Retailer of the Year for Ontario
by Mercier Wood Flooring

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COVER STORY

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dream
GARDEN
ROOM
Countless hours of summer fun
for the kids, and an enchanting,
relaxing respite for adults in
this West Vancouver oasis

BY W.J. MUNIAK
PHOTOGRAPHY BY COLIN PERRY

fter living in their home for five years,
the homeowners of this West Vancouver property became intrigued
with the idea of adding a garden room.
The prospect of a secluded, little spot
outdoors where the whole family and friends
could retreat to became very exciting. The
couple decided to hire a designer who could
give them some ideas and eventually oversee
the construction of the space.
“I saw a big yard with great potential,”
says Negar Reihani, the owner and principal
designer at Space Harmony, a boutique
interior design firm in Vancouver. “We had
600 square feet of space to work with, and
my first thought was that 600 square feet is
the size of a condo in downtown Vancouver!”
“But bigger doesn’t always mean better,”
confirms Reihani. She quickly pointed out that
large spaces can become very impersonal, if
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COVER STORY

planned poorly. Luckily, the homeowners had a
list of requirements, which helped her visualize
the space—an elegant outdoor design that
would fulfill their garden room dream.

DESIGN PLAN
“The goal was to create a modern, elegant yet
romantic space that is both low-maintenance
and child-friendly,” says Reihani. Instead of
creating one gigantic outdoor kitchen, she
broke the space in two with the kitchen on
one side and the lounging area on the other
side to provide different types of seating and a
more visually interesting space.
One of the main features is the L-shaped
kitchen with a large island as a focal point and
centre of all the action. Positioning the kitchen
at the back, close to the property line, creates
privacy and seclusion. The lounge area is
positioned next to the yard so the parents can
relax and enjoy their beverages while watching the kids play.
The kitchen finishes are light and modern.
The V-shaped, white rustic-cladding stone is
topped with a grey-quartz countertop.
“The countertop resembles concrete—
which was the look I was going for—but the
quartz is easier to clean and much more
cost-effective,” says Reihani. “I love the long
trough sink in the middle of the island, it’s so

useful and diverse. You could fill it up with ice
and your favourite beverages or place herb
planters in it for garden parties.”

LIGHTING SOLUTIONS
“It was essential the homeowners were able
to use the space during the day as well as
late at night, making proper lighting crucial,”
says Reihani. “The right lighting solutions
can be easily overlooked in outdoor spaces
but it’s a very important part of the design.”
The timber ceiling of the gazebo is partially
open through the use of a generous skylight.
This allows natural light to flow through to

The countertop
resembles
concrete but
the quartz is
easier to clean
and much more
cost-effective.

the back of the kitchen. There is a long
track of lighting hidden behind one of the
beams over the island, which provides
ample lighting for the entire kitchen.
The lounge area is lit by a large, roundpillar candle chandelier to create a romantic
ambience. Behind the sectional there are a
few dimmable floor-recessed lights that add
some drama to the space.
“My favourite lighting element in the
space—besides the chandelier—is the
whimsical moon lights,” adds Reihani.
“They are hard-wired and could be moved
around and used for seating, or as decorative lighting, or both.”

FINISHING TOUCHES
“With Vancouver’s weather, we needed all
furnishings and final touches to be fully
weather-proof while being inviting and
comfortable,” says Reihani. With a 12-footlong sectional and a cluster of pillows, the
lounge area is the perfect place to hang
out and chill.
“The wooden structure and muted tones
of the furniture put the emphasis on the
lush surroundings of nature, it makes you
feel like you are sitting in an elegant tree
house,” says the designer. The large fire

table grounds the seating area and adds
warmth and sparkle at night.
“I added an invisible curtain rod behind
the beam where the sectional is for sheer
muslin drapes in summer. It’s an elegant
feature and a good option to have for special
occasions,” says Reihani. The modern,
stainless-steel stools by the kitchen island
are an excellent choice for outdoor use.
When asked about the pond next to the
outdoor space, Reihani explained that the
homeowner decided on adding the pond
once the concrete was poured for the gazebo.
He had wanted a water feature in the
backyard but wasn’t sure which way to go.
Although he considered a pool, safety
concerns and the fact that it would have
eliminated the grass play area for his two
small kids, made him decide against it. A
pond offers the best of both worlds, which
is both beautiful and fun for the children.
“I’m so glad I could realize the full potential of this backyard and turn it into a
relaxing oasis for the homeowners to enjoy
for many years to come.”

The large fire
table grounds
the seating
area and
adds warmth
and sparkle
at night.

With over 20 years design experience, Negar Reihani is known for
her elegant and simple approach to high-end, polished interiors that
celebrate the tastes and lifestyle of her clients. spaceharmony.ca

32 :: June/July 2016 renoanddecor.com

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2016-05-05 11:47 AM

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vineyard Collection

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We supply and install stylish and durable deck tiles, specializing in balconies, patios & terraces.
Contact us for a fast, friendly and free quote.

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2016-05-03 2:38 PM

R+D
decor
expert

KIMBERLEY’S GUIDE TO

Grasses

Not just for outdoors, grasses are a growing trend inside the home

KIMBERLEY SELDON

SPLENDOUR IN THE GRASS
This time of year, it’s all I can do to
keep my shoes on and resist the
temptation to romp barefoot through
every patch of grass I can find.
Whether it’s a clipped green lawn or
the sight of tall waving beach reeds,
grasses have a sensuous, summertime
attitude that many (myself included)
find highly attractive. Fortunately, a
growing trend to decorate with natural
materials such as grasses, leaves and
reeds means that nature’s bounty is
nearly as plentiful indoors as out.

WALLS

FLOORS
Consider natural-fibre weaves as an
alternative to carpeting. Seagrass,
sisal, coir, jute and rush are currently
much in demand. Individual materials
vary widely in performance so make
sure to discuss the merits and limitations before making a purchase. Natural

DESIGNER’S TIP:

Paired with linen
or patterned draperies,
matchstick or bamboo
blinds are perennially
pleasing and quite
affordable.

sisal isn’t ideal carpeting for playrooms,
as the coarse texture is uncomfortable to
crawl or play on. A wool or synthetic
carpet that imitates the look of sisal is a
better choice in this case.

WINDOWS
Bamboo or matchstick blinds are an
ideal window covering in tight places
where draperies would take up too
much wall space. Not only are these
blinds economical, they are also
resistant to humidity and moisture and
come in either natural or stained
finishes; making them highly serviceable and decorative. Natural finishes
are typically variegated in colouring
ranging from deep brown to pale maple.

Bamboo blinds can be mounted
inside or outside the window casing.
Inside mounted window coverings,
leave room for a valance or draperies.
Outside mounting makes windows
appear larger. To determine the width
for an inside mount, measure in three
places; record the narrowest width.
For height, measure in three places,
and use the longest length. To
determine the width for an outside
mount, measure from the left outside
edge of the frame to the right outside
edge. For the height, measure from the
top outside edge to the bottom outside
edge. Many blinds come in stock
lengths, so round up to the standard
length closest to your measurement.

PHOTOGRAPHY: BIGSTOCKPHOTO.COM

Paper walls with grass cloth when a
natural and tranquil atmosphere is
desired. The intricate texture lends
depth and warmth to ordinary walls.
Admire the natural variations in colour
and texture inherent in woven materials. Grasses, like any harvested material,
are subject to all sorts of primitive
uncertainties such as bad weather and
poor harvesting conditions. These
pulls and slubs enhance the artisan
quality of the goods. Modern dyes
produce a nearly unlimited palette so
you’re not limited to neutral colours
when making a selection.

)"3%800%t-".*/"5&4t$03,t&/(*/&&3&%)"3%800%
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2016-05-11 10:09 AM

R+D
architecture

expert

No Yard …

No Problem

SAMANTHA SANNELLA

Balconies, as an extension of our living space, can offer a wonderful respite from
city living. Here’s how you can create a lovely oasis, just beyond your balcony door

The location of the balcony determines
its use. Is it located off a public space
such as a living area, or a private
bedroom space? What is the view? Can
you enjoy a stunning sunrise or sunset,
or do you need to shield the view to a
neighbouring roof? How much sunshine
do you get? This will determine the
types of plants that can be used. How

will you use the space—as a quiet
reading space, an herb garden, or an
entertainment area?

MEASURING UP
Can the balcony accommodate only a
single chair or chaise lounge, or is there
enough space for a table and chairs?
Many balconies in new condominiums
are “standing-room only” and every

square inch must be considered before
purchasing items. Measure the floor
space and also the height of the railings
and sidewalls. Many condominiums have
thin glass railings and sidewalls, and
regulations that prohibit making holes
into the aluminum frame, which make
vertical gardening a challenge.

CONTAINERS
Among the many beautiful containers
available today, my my go-to places are
Planters Perfect or Greenville Planters.
Both are Canadian distributors and
they offer an extensive selection of
modern and traditional planters.
Custom options are also available.
Many balconies are equipped with
hose bibs, which make watering more
convenient. In this case, consider
self-watering containers that have a
reservoir at the bottom—capillary action
waters the plants. If you are short on
floor space, consider a railing-mounted
planter. I’m a big fan of Lechuza SelfWatering Planters. Remember, one
oversized container makes more of an
impact than several small pots.

The custom table
and hand-carved
antique at the
sidewall add warmth
to this quaint
outdoor space

PLANTS
Once you decide whether you want a
food or flower garden, there are still
some choices to be made. Do you want
to attract butterflies or birds? Is your
balcony accessible to squirrels or
rabbits? Designing to attract or deter

PHOTOGRAPHY: URBAN RETREAT HOMES

LOCATION AND USE

36 :: June/July 2016 renoanddecor.com

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2016-05-05 11:35 AM

“Currently, I am in love with

PHOTOGRAPHY: URBAN RETREAT HOMES

Andrew Richard’s Origin Collection.”

insects and animals is a consideration.
Unless you have room in your home or
garage to “winter over” plants, you will
want to consider annuals. They provide
the most colour and often bloom from
May to November.
Do your research on shade gardens
vs. partial sun or sunny gardens.
Vegetable gardens need about five
hours of sunlight per day. This means
food gardens should typically face south
or west. The more direct light the plants
receive, the better their performance.
Easy-to-grow plants include oregano,
parsley, rosemary, basil, tomatoes, and
peppers. Cucumbers, radishes and some
lettuces will also flourish. Tropical
plants, such as fuchsia bougainvillea,
are a stunning addition to a balcony.
However, they can be expensive, so
bring them indoors before the first frost.
Begonias, hostas, impatiens, ferns and
violets are good examples of plants that
thrive in the shade. Remember, outdoor
soil is not suitable for pots. Choose a
soil-less potting mix and fertilize
frequently for the best results.

the look and feel of wicker and can
withstand salt, sun and extreme
temperatures. Shop around online to
determine the styles and prices that suit
your taste.

ACCESSORIES
Don’t forget about fire pits and patio
heaters (if regulations allow), lanterns
and screens. Many retailers offer bamboo
screens or faux boxwoods that can help
with privacy or less than desirable views.
They also look great in the winter months
and can be a backdrop for holiday
balcony decor.

FLOORING
Interlocking patio decking modules
improve the look of concrete balconies
and are easy to install. Deck tiles come
in natural-wood choices such as Ipe,
teak, cedar, acacia, as well as composite
materials, stone or porcelain tiles. Some
companies offer sandstone, mosaic and
pebble tiles, such as Swiftdeck.

Origin Lounge Chairs

Paris Bench

Outdoor rugs can ground the space
and add a pop of colour and style to the
area. Because rugs can deteriorate or
fade in the summer sun, consider
UV-treated, 100 per cent polypropylene
rugs. While natural jute or sisal rugs look
great, they can get mildew and be
difficult to clean.

HAVE FUN
Most importantly, have fun with your
space! Whether creating an elegant
oasis or a fun entertainment space,
consider adding personal touches like
artwork, garden statues or part of your
favourite collection.
Battery-operated water features can
help mask city noises and create a
relaxing environment. Focus on establishing a theme, such as Mediterranean,
beach, coastal, forest or fairy pool, and
design your space to inspire and delight.

An idyllic rural setting
is the perfect backdrop for
sophisticated interiors
BY EVELYN ESHUN
PHOTOGRAPHY BY LARRY ARNAL

L

iving in the country with
all the conveniences of
the city is a lifestyle that
many of us, including me, dream
of. We recently completed a
home like this for two people
who are living the dream on a
secluded and peaceful 25-acre
property just north of the city.
Using sophisticated finishes,
such as antiqued granite, exotic
wood veneers and modern
fixtures, we created a delicate
balance between the comfort of
cottage living and the fashionforward boldness of an urban
environment.

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2016-05-05 11:32 AM

HOUSE TOUR

Whale Gray
2134-40

FOYER

GREAT ROOM

A customized sideboard, made with
a dual finish of maple and textured
veneer for the drawers, provides
ample storage in a sophisticated
package. The tall mirror hanging
above the sideboard is crisscrossed
with random dark-wood lines,
providing a sculptural and artistic
expression while remaining
functional for that quick touch-up
before heading out the door.
Lucite and polished-nickel
sconces are shown bare without
shades and installed on a dimmer in
order to create the look of candlelight when desired.

The linear nature of the exotic wood,
mixed with walnut and slate in a very
simple, contemporary design, is the
focal point in the great room. A television drops into the cabinet at the
touch of a button and can appear and
disappear as needed.
A 52-inch linear fireplace was
installed for functionality as well for its
contemporary, urban look. The fireplace,
designed purposely without a mantel,
discourages the collection of clutter
and maintains a sleek and minimal look.
The addition of a bench along the
length of the built-in allows for additional seating during family gatherings.

Wrapping the walls in a navy-blue grass
cloth creates warmth in this small space
yet remains utterly sophisticated. The
floating vanity, made out of exotic
Macassar ebony-wood veneer, is topped
off with a stone-vessel sink and black
faucet to bring in some natural texture
and drama. To accentuate the height of
the room, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll notice that the tall
mirror reaches the crown moulding. To
balance the urban expression, a slate
counter with a wonderful texture adds a
casual feel to the room.

MASTER ENSUITE
White marble, quartz finishes and a calm water-like wall colour bring
that much-desired spa feeling to this room. A large, frameless glass
shower designed with a curbless entry is not only contemporary but
also practical for the homeowners as they age; the flat surface will
make it easier to enter the shower, preventing slips and falls.

MASTER ENSUITE
White marble, quartz finishes and a calm water-like wall colour bring
that much-desired spa feeling to this room. A large, frameless glass
shower designed with a curbless entry is not only contemporary but
also practical for the homeowners as they age; the flat surface will
make it easier to enter the shower, preventing slips and falls.

MASTER BEDROOM

Coventry Gray
HC-169

A monochromatic colour scheme
of soft greys and cool whites is the
perfect backdrop with the contrast of
the navy-blue bench and accent
pillows. The result is a master bedroom
that feels like a luxury hotel suite.
The accent wall, with its neutralcoloured geometric wallpaper, adds
warmth and personality to this large
room. Silk draperies with blackout
lining allow the room to be completely
blocked visually from the outdoors
while bringing softness and luxury to
the room.
renoanddecor.com June/July 2016 :: 41

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2016-05-05 11:32 AM

HOUSE TOUR
Cement Gray
2112-60

Stonington Gray
HC-170

KITCHEN

GUEST BEDROOM

The kitchen island provides the
cook with adequate prep space, and
allows guests to gather for entertainment. Acrylic pendants hang
over the island and add a touch of
city glamour to this country kitchen.
The addition of dimmers makes it
easy to set the mood for entertaining
or simply lounging.
Since the kitchen is adjacent to the
dining room, the height of the chairs
around the island are similar to the
height of the dining room chairs
offering extra seating should there be
a large gathering.
Antique glass doors bring sparkle
to the kitchen, reflecting light and
shapes while visually blocking the
items stored inside.

A pastel palette of greys, mauves and
blues will keep the overnight guests
happy and coming back for more. Two
urn-shaped lamps with high-gloss white
shades are a nod to the traditional table
lamp design, yet they provide a minimal
and contemporary look, with a touch of
sparkle and glamour too. Sitting atop a
pair of mirrored dressers, this is unquestionably the focal point of the room.
A side chair with down-filled seat and
back is as comfortable as any traditional
wing chair, but the dark-wood slim legs
give this chair a more city feel with
country comfort. The generously sized
area rug, with a geometric pattern adds
texture and warmth to the room. It also
helps to define the bed and sitting area
in this large room.

Evelyn Eshun is a Toronto-based, award-winning interior designer with more
than 15 years experience creating custom design projects for the residential
market. Follow her @evelyndesigner. or visit her website for more information.
evelyneshun.com

Steel roofs
are financially and
environmentally
sensible and they
are more
attractive.

There is a small
air space between
the old tar roof and
the new steel roof.

START AT THE TOP
For many people, the thought of having
to repair the roof is daunting. Not only
does it seem unsexy as a renovation but
it can be very expensive. However,
leaving it too late can lead to all kinds
of problems.
Typically, a tar roof is what most
people select; however, over time, and
because of the expense of oil, the
amount of tar in roofing shingles has
diminished significantly, making this
kind of roofing far less effective than
other options.
For instance, steel roofs are financially
and environmentally sensible and they
are more attractive. They offer a vast
colour selection and range of design;
some resemble shingles, slate and clay,
and you can opt for the steel look too.
When I (Glen) did my roof in steel, I
learned that the shingles remain from
the previous roof, thereby minimizing the
contribution to landfill. There is a small
air space between the old tar roof and the
new steel roof, which acts as an additional insulator for the house. I selected
a Galvalume product because it reflects
the sun’s heat remarkably well, and also
because it is the colour of aluminum foil.
Longevity is another reason I chose
Galvalume. It will last for 100 years and
continue to function and look just as
good. New Steel Roofers, based in
Toronto, installed it without any garbage
to speak of—no mess and no need to do
it again, ever! It benefits the house, my
energy bills, and the planet at large.

ROOF PHOTOS COURTESY OF NEW STEEL ROOFERS

henever people think of renovating their homes, we find they
tend to focus on the “pretty elements.” It is important, though,
to ensure that the structure you are busy making pretty is also
sound and healthy. At the same time, you should give serious consideration
to the effect that your home improvements will have on the planet, as well as
your bank account. If these eco elements are pretty too then you cannot lose.

* IKEA is a registered trademark of Inter-IKEA Systems B.V. and Allstyle Cabinet Doors is not affiliated with IKEA in any way.
UCS Allstyle ad.indd 1

p045_R_JJ16.indd 1

15-02-24 1:17 PM

2016-05-05 1:37 PM

DESIGN EXPERTS

SHOWERED WITH SAVINGS

PHOTO COURTESY OF MOEN

PHOTO COURTESY OF NEST

Along with dual-flush toilets, low-flow showerheads offer
conservative water consumption, without losing the beauty
of the faucets, because who wants to have a new bathroom
without beautiful faucets?
Moen has a square showerhead in the Velocity series that
is not only a great choice from a conservation perspective,
it also has a very chic appearance. The square shape makes
it work well, both in transitional and modern spaces. There
are also traditional-style showerheads too. As always, form
combined with function gives you the best of both worlds.

..the Nest system
learns your
behaviour and
personalizes a
schedule for the
most efficient
energy use.

TOO HOT, TOO COLD
MEETS JUST RIGHT
As beautiful as any renovation
may be, cold drafty rooms, or
rooms that are too warm, will
limit one’s enjoyment of those
spaces. Spray-foam insulation is a great way to insulate
but many have issues with the smell associated with
spray foam and the chemical makeup.
Icynene is a water-based product that seals any cracks
that might allow heat and cooling loss, and it increases
the R-value (the capacity of an insulating material to
resist heat flow) of your home. Areas that are dry and
warm (or cool when they should be) can then be designed
as spaces you will enjoy spending time in.

PHOTO COURTESY OF ICYENE

Square showerhead,
Velocity series from Moen

Icyene is a
water-based
product that
seals any cracks
that might
allow heat and
cooling loss.

SMART THERMOSTAT
To best manage the heating and cooling
in a home, you need a system that will
efficiently control air flow and temperature.
Many digital systems can be programmed
for weekdays and weekends but the Nest
system learns your behaviour and personalizes a schedule for the most efficient
energy use.
The Nest can be controlled remotely,
so if you extend a vacation for a few days,
you can turn the heating or cooling down
while you’re away. At the end of each
month, you receive a report of your
savings for that month.
Think about your home both inside
and out to make sure you have as much
beauty in the structure as you do in the
furnishings. A healthy house is a beautiful
thing.

he breeze that carries with it
the sweet smell of the lake or
ocean, the feel of mother
nature underfoot as you walk
in the forest, the sound of
little birds chirping in the
trees, only to be heard and
not to be seen, being one
with mother nature. These
are the reasons most of us gravitate to a
cottage life. Just an hour or so outside of
the hustle and bustle of the city is a world
of peace and tranquility. The rules of life
seem different in cottage country. Life is not
as fast paced and you can find yourself just
taking a relaxing breath.
Some people are blessed enough
to have a family cottage to retreat to if the
rat race in the city gets to be too much. But
many of us do not have that luxury. What
we can do is create a little bit of an oasis in
our own living space. If you can’t go to the
cottage, you can bring the cottage to you.
These days everyone is talking about city
style at the cottage. But since most of us
live in the concrete jungle, we should start
thinking about bringing the cottage to the
city. And one of the easiest ways to do that
is by choosing the right hardwood floors for
your space.
Let’s face it. The first thing you
think about when someone says cottage is
wood. Wood on the floors, on the walls and
everywhere the eye can see. So by using

hardwood floors in your home, and not just
on the floors, you can bring a little bit of that
cottage feel into your home. Now hardwood
flooring can be very luxurious. Not every
kind of hardwood floor is going to give you
that cottage feel. Here are some pointers
for choosing a more peaceful floor for your
home and creating that cottage feel.

1

Choose a difference species: Most
everyone will choose a select and
better red oak or maple hardwood
floor for their homes. If you want a
different feel to your home, try using a
different species of wood. The options
are limitless. You can choose a harder
wood like hickory, which has a lot of
natural variations or a softer wood
with less of a grain pattern like birch. A
different species than what you see in
luxury homes will give you a more rustic
feel to your home.

2

Choose a texture floor and wider
planks: Forget about a high shine
smooth floor. Go for a handscraped,
wirebrushed, or distressed flooring.
These floors have a more rustic and
natural character to them. They also
usually come with a matte finish and are
easier to maintain in the long run. Wider
planks will also look more natural and
wild. They will also make your space look
bigger and more airy.

Avalon from the Couture Series from Kentwood Hardwood flooring.

M2Flooring_R_JJ16.indd 1

3

Choose a floor with lots of variation:
Natural variation within the wood
flooring will also enhance the feeling
of being one with the elements. Certain
brands like Kentwood Hardwood Floors
will even offer you floors marked as “Wild
Thing”, which denotes a high degree of
variation in the final product. These floors
are not only beautiful and modern but
they are also timeless and would never
age regardless of changing trends.

4

Choose to be outside the box:
These days there are so many other
uses for flooring than just putting
them on the floor! You can use them on
walls, or even ceilings to create more of
a visual interest in your home. You can
create accent walls using flooring instead
of using paint. These types of features
could enhance the “cabin” feeling of your
space. This oxidized hard maple from
Lauzon Distinctive Hardwood Flooring
is a perfect example of an accent wall
using hardwood flooring.

If this is the kind of idea you would like to
implement in your home, then contact
M Squared Flooring & Design Centre and
let us help you create your
ideal “cottage” in the concrete
jungle. For more inspiration and
information visit us at
www.msquareddesign.ca

Chic from the Natura Collection from Lauzon Distinctive Hardwood.

2016-04-28 1:44 PM

DECOR TIPS

By adding rustic
elements to city
living, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll
create a space
that feels like
an escape while
your home
remains modern
and clean.

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2016-05-05 11:05 AM

How to invite some
cottage charm into
a slick urban space
BY ISABELLE BOBA
PHOTOGRAPHY BY SARJOUN FAOUR

When city &
cottage collide

T

here is a certain feeling you get when you
walk into a cottage. It starts right when you
open the front door and are greeted with the
smell of the wood beams. It continues as you
collapse onto the comfortable couch and take
in the view from the lake. The cottage is all about comfort
with a connection to nature. It is where you go to relax
and reconnect.
The city, on the other hand, is fast, elegant and modern.
Dominated by chrome and glass, it has charms of its own.
It is where things happen, where life is exciting.
Most people separate the two worlds, compartmentalizing their city lives and cottage lives into two diverse
categories—one for the rush, the other for relaxation.
But it doesn’t have to be that way. It’s possible to combine
these worlds, bringing pockets of relaxation to the chaos.
By adding rustic elements to city living, you’ll create a
space that feels like an escape while your home remains
modern and clean.

IT’S VERY NATURAL
The main difference in design between a city apartment
and a cottage getaway lies not in the amount of food
consumed, the location, or any particular furniture piece,
but rather in how each piece was manufactured.
Although this does not sound particularly interesting,
it explains the overall feel of each environment. In a
typical urban apartment, most elements are manmade.
Polished chrome fixtures, microfibre sofas, crystal
accessories, and plastic chairs are all commonplace in a
city but none of those materials can be found in nature.
In contrast to that, the cottage is comprised of natural
elements, mostly wood. Large pieces of lumber, cowhide rugs and stone fireplaces are the norm.
Having said that, it’s not about wood-beam ceilings
and fireplaces. Covering your walls with wood is not
going to make it feel like an escape.
Instead, it’s about letting each existing element breathe
and express itself. Rather than covering concrete, let the
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DECOR TIPS

These personal memories should
lead to your focal point. If you enjoy
bike rides, place your bike on the wall.
veins and texture show. Instead of polishing the wood to
perfection, let it be crooked and full of grooves. On a
smaller scale, an unglazed ceramic pot, a fur pillow or an
unpolished metal light fixture can have the same effect.
These pieces lightly hint at their original forms, and thus
bring us a bit closer to nature.

NOTICE THE FOCAL POINT
Knowing the feeling you want to achieve is important with
any design undertaking, and arguably even more crucial in
this case. What is it about the cottage that prompts you to
go there? Is it that hammock by the lake? The long walks in
the forest or the family dinners? These personal memories
should lead to your focal point. If you enjoy bike rides,
place your bike on the wall; if itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the hammock, hang a
cocoon chair from a rope; if family dinners are important,
consider investing in a long wooden dining table. It is not
just any cottage that you want to bring into the city, but
your experience of it.

THE 80/20 RULE
We have all heard of the 80/20 rule as it applies to work,
and it applies to this design as well. The space should
be 80 per cent city and 20 per cent cottage. The key to
bringing in rustic elements tastefully, without overpowering the modern and clean esthetic of urban living, is to
maintain the contrast between them.
Keep the palette (the 80 per cent) clean and glamorous.
Then bring in the cottage (20 per cent) as accentsâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;a few
furniture pieces, plants, landscape photography, focal
points. The balance between the two works like complementary colours; each element is emphasized and
brightened by the proximity of the other.

Having said that, there does need to be one unifying
element: colour. In order for the rustic elements to blend
into the space, it needs a neutral backdrop. Bright pink
and a live-edge dining table should never be found in the
same room. For this look, keep to colours abundant in
nature. Deep ocean blues, forest greens, greys, browns
and off-whites all work as the main palette.
There is still a certain type of magic in going to the
cottage that cannot be bottled up and brought to the city.
But you can bring back little pockets of memories,
moments of relaxation and calm. You can get a little
closer to nature every time you enter your home,
closing the door on the hectic and
exciting rush of the city streets, and
breathe in a little tranquility.

Isabelle Boba is the Founder of LUX Design,
an interior design firm specializing in commercial and residential spaces. luxdesign.ca

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styles that
inspire
Visit our showroom to
explore the new Paradox
collection from Riobel.

How a successful transition from public to
private space in a cul-de-sac home elevates
lifestyle and delights the eye BY ADRIANA L MOT • PHOTOGRAPHY BY CHRIS HARRISON

Y

oung families always find a home on a culde-sac attractive because of the promise of
a safe streetscape. The niche of properties is
isolated from busy city traffic, reducing noise
to some degree while providing a sense of privacy.
This cul-de-sac home located in the Underhill
neighbourhood of Toronto was a typical ’60s sidesplit. The purple, Tudor-like façade architecture did
not reflect the preferred contemporary esthetic of the
homeowners. In addition, the living space was
inadequate.
For this family of four, keeping two young boys busy
and healthy would require a well-planned kitchen and

family room, with many stimulating outdoor spaces to
allow for somewhat supervised activities. Such a home
would need to cleverly address visual relationships
along with functional needs to achieve these objectives.

MAKE THE CONNECTION
Exploring the potential links between the outdoor and
the indoor spaces became central to our design. From
the street, through the main level of the home and all the
way to the backyard, we planned areas of activity that
are visually interconnected and hold a dynamic, spatial
dialogue of proportion, views, textures and colours.
The cul-de-sac is essentially a second yard, a

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before
before

friendly, safe, semi-private environment for playing
and socializing. We designed a curved, paved terrace
with soft lines of greenery around it that visually
balances the modern geometry of the renovated home.
It defines a seating area where sleek outdoor furniture
allows parents and friends to lounge and watch the
kids play. The entire composition creates a welcoming
yet usable street presence.

DESIGN INTERRELATION
Inside, the kitchen and family room additions are as
conducive to entertainment and supervised kids-play
as the outdoor spaces. Setting up activity areas and
strategic placement of furniture and cabinetry optimized sight lines and extended the auditory capacity.
For instance, as you stand in front of the cooktop
or in front of the working square island, a vertical
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BEFORE AND AFTER

The large window above the sink and the oversized sliding door
allows you to see the entire backyard and pool area.
window at the corner of the kitchen gives you a
glimpse of the front court. Looking the other way,
the large window above the sink and the oversized
sliding door allows you to see the entire backyard and
pool area. This in-between positioning pleasantly
integrates an outdoor open feel into the home.
A more controlled sense of connection between
outdoors and indoors is achieved through the alignment
of the glass breakfast table inside and the pool waterfall
outside. On a hot summer day when the eight-foot wide
sliding door opens, the sound and proximity of the water
falling offers a sense of dining al fresco.

PULLING OUT ALL THE STOPS
In fact, the location of the pool was critical in setting up
the backyard to include a cooking and eating area,
comfy seating around a marshmallow-ready fire pit and
a sunbathing area. As an added bonus, the convenient
outdoor shower allows the kids to quickly get ready for
dinner without dripping in and out of the house.
Sharing a picture-frame window with the outdoor
seating area, the family room was treated as a
sculptural interior garden. Walls, ceilings alike are
painted in highly contrasting colours. They are
playful in shape and architecturally designed to solve
a practical problem: the dropped barn-board ceiling
hides the transition from the eight-foot ceiling of the

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BEFORE AND AFTER

The accent colours
quite purposefully range
from the fresh purples
and corals of the front
yard furniture to the sleek
red in the kitchen island.

older part of the house to the new 10-foot-high family
room addition; it also allows access to the new master
bedroom above. Continuing the interactive theme
between the outdoors and indoors, the bookcase on
the back wall, opposite from the window, acts as a
reflection of nature; the mixed angles of the vertical
gables are an abstraction of tree trunks elegantly
stylized and transferred inside.
Colours and textures throughout were chosen to
reinforce the spatial dialogue and pinpoint key
locations. Primarily, the overall scheme is made of
soft greys, medium browns and taupes. The accents
quite purposefully range from the fresh purples and
corals of the front yard furniture to the sleek red in
the kitchen island, to the satin-black panels around
the television and the rough barn board of the family
room ceiling. The soft blue of the water colour
dominates the backyard.

The main floor of the house was configured in such
way as to achieve visual continuity with the outdoors.
The overall effect, from the street view to the inside
and on to the back, is a seamless progression that
blurs the boundaries of architecture and unifies the
entire property.
SOURCES
OUTDOOR FURNITURE: Andrew Richard Designs
KITCHEN: Scavolini
INDOOR FURNITURE: Roche Bobois, Suite 22 Interiors

Trained as an architect and interior designer,
Adriana Mot has been the principal of Dochia
since 2000. Leading a multi-disciplinary team,
Adriana practices a holistic approach to design
that is centred on individual well-being. A member
of The Association of Registered Interior Designers
of Ontario (ARIDO), her work has been recognized
through various awards and publications. dochia.com

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Hiring an electrician?
In Ontario, they must
be a Licensed Electrical
Contractor. It’s the law.

If you’re thinking
of renovating,
don’t assume
your old wiring
can handle your
new kitchen.
Your dream kitchen no doubt includes
hot trends like a super pantry, freestanding islands or an appliance
garage. But if the electrical work
powering all that magic isn’t considered
early on, getting it right later could be
expensive and complicated. With the
latest kitchen ideas from superstar
designer Kimberley Seldon and
illuminating electrical advice from the
Electrical Safety Authority, Power Your
Reno will help you make sure that the
features you want get the safe electrical
work they need.
Get inspired at poweryourreno.ca

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2016-05-03 2:30 PM

R+D
reno
expert

BEAUTY
IS IN THE EYE OF
THE HOMEOWNER
Despite personal style preferences,
go for products that stand the test of time

STYLE PREFERENCES
I’m a traditionalist at heart. For my own house, I built in the
New England Colonial style, with dormer windows, cedar
shingles on the roof, and a mix of stone and horizontal
wooden siding on the exterior. On the inside, there is a lot of
trim work, from the coffered ceilings down to the wainscotting and large baseboards.
There are a number of aspects of modern designs that I do
like, such as the large, open-concept plans. For my next
house, I’d probably go for a bit more of a transitional look,

JIM’S
PICK

with less trim and more clean lines. But there are limits.
I find with a lot of modern designs they try to include too
many materials on the front of the house. There’s a bit of
stucco, some stone, different types of siding, and it gets to
be too much.
Sometimes, the modern material choices can actually
cheapen the look of the house. There was one house next
door to where we were working recently that we called the
Tuna Can. It was wrapped in this industrial-looking corrugated steel that made it look exactly like a can of tuna.
SHORTCOMINGS
Last issue, I wrote about the tiny house trend. One technique
people are using to build tiny spaces is to repurpose old
shipping containers. Truth be told, I’m not crazy about the
look of that. But my bigger concern would be that someone
throws some wheels on either end and drives away with
your house!
Having a good architect and/or designer on the team that
understands your style and tastes is important, particularly
if you’re considering a more modern design.
Regardless of your preferred style, when building a new
house or undergoing major exterior renovations on an
existing one, you’re going to want the work to last. On the
following pages are some of my favourite choices for
long-lasting building materials to use.

JIM CARUK
RENOVATION EDITOR
Stone veneers combine the look and durability of real stone without the weight and difficulty to work with. One line that I really
like working with is Canadian-made StoneRox. stonerox.com

I look forward to hearing from you and welcome your
feedback. Do you have a reno or decor question for our team
of experts? Email editorial@renoanddecor.com

have a confession to make: I’m not crazy about some of
the houses I’ve built over the years. Don’t get me wrong,
they’re all solidly built and met as many of my clients’
needs as we could with the budget they had. It’s the design
itself that, in some cases, just doesn’t suit my tastes.

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Untitled-1 1

2016-05-02 11:40 AM

R+D
reno
expert

BUILDING FOR THE AGES
Choose durable home exterior products that will stand the test of time

Y

ou don’t need me to tell you
that home renovations can be
expensive. I’m constantly trying
to help clients balance their wants and
needs with the budget that they’ve got
available to them. One thing I try to
encourage people to do when planning
a major renovation is to do it once and
do it well. Sometimes, that means
leaving something out to ensure the
main objective can be achieved—say,
putting off the powder room makeover
so there’s enough money to properly
do the kitchen.

ROOFS FOR LIFE
When talking about exterior renovations, the choice of materials used is
critical to ensure the project lasts. You
may pay a bit more upfront for highend materials but over the long-term it
will be a worthwhile investment. Here
are some of my choices for durable
exterior products.
Up on top, for longevity, you can’t
beat a steel roof. (Full disclosure, I’m a
Brand Ambassador for metal roof and
siding manufacturer Vicwest.) Whether
you’re going for a modern, institutional

look or are a traditionalist like myself,
there are a wide variety of colours and
styles available, including steel tiles
that mimic the look of asphalt or stone.
And, with warranties as long as 50
years, it’s no wonder they’re known
as the once-in-a-lifetime roof.
WINDOWS & WALLS
When it comes to windows, vinyl or
aluminum are good long-lasting options
but, as a traditionalist, I still prefer the
look of wooden window frames. A
number of companies offer factory-

PHOTOGRAPHY: BIGSTOCKPHOTO.COM

BY JIM CARUK

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WoodMo

YOU’D BE HARDPRESSED TO FIND
SOMETHING THAT’LL
LAST LONGER THAN
NATURAL STONE.

finished wood windows that will look
good 15 or 20 years down the road.
When cladding exterior walls, I like
using stone veneers. They’re lightweight,
easy to install, and extremely durable.
Steel siding is another durable option,
again, available in a broad range of
designs, including wood- and stone-like
profiles. Just don’t mix-and-match too
many different materials on the exterior.
(See my suggestions in “Beauty is in the
Eye of the Homeowner” on page 58.)
THE ALL-CANADIAN DECK
For the longest lasting deck, your best bet
is composite decking and railing. There
are a number of really good, realistic
options on the market to choose from.
Many can be installed with hidden
mounting clips that give you both a
streamlined look and avoid having screw
holes in the boards where water will pool.

The framing itself, however, should be
made of pressure-treated (PT) lumber for
durability. If you’re doing the work yourself, make sure you use PT-approved
fasteners. If not, the chemical preservative will corrode the screws.
Finally, for landscaping, you’d be hard-

pressed to find something that’ll last
longer than natural stone. The granite of
the Canadian Shield, after all, is at least
a couple billion years old. There is also a
wide range of manufactured stone
products that will likely outlast your
taste in outdoor decor.

Bona Certified Craftsmen for dustless floor sanding.

PHOTOGRAPHY: BIGSTOCKPHOTO.COM

• Sales and professional installation
• Floor and stairs refinishing
For more information
visit our website

o youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve decided to renovate. A
home renovation is a great way to
increase the value, not to mention
it adds more enjoyment to your home.
Calculating your budget and finding a
renovator are both important considerations when thinking about a home
renovation but another key component,
not to be overlooked, is understanding
whether or not you will need a building
permit.
Building permits are granted by
municipalities and are considered a
formal permission for the construction,
demolition or alteration of a home.
Each municipality has its own set of
regulations but most major renovations,
such as those where structural walls or
plumbing components are altered,
require building permits.
Permits must be obtained before you
begin renovating. Failure to do so may
result in a fine of up to $50,000 for a first
offense and up to $100,000 for subsequent offenses.

Getting a building permit is a complicated process. It can take several weeks
or even months to obtain and, if it seems
overwhelming, the best thing to do is to
contact a professional renovator who has
experience with permit applications.
There are a number of online sites to
find professional resources, such as the
national RenoMark program. It can be
accessed by visiting renomark.ca, which
features a searchable database of
professional renovators, trade contractors
and custom builders.
A professional renovator will be able to
assess your project and explain whether
or not a permit is needed, and what it
will take to obtain one. Keep in mind that
some renovations require the help of a
service professional like an architect,
structural engineer or electrician.
Many renovators have existing
relationships with trade professionals.
Your renovator is the project manager
to bring in the right people, get the
necessary drawings and submit the

BY BRYAN TUCKEY

application to the municipality on your
behalf. This is the most efficient way to
obtain the permit. Just make sure that
the cost is discussed upfront and
factored into the contract.
Speaking of cost, make sure you factor
in the price of the building permit into
your overall budget. It is calculated by
the size of the renovation and varies by
municipalities. For something like a
garage renovation, you can expect to pay
a few hundred dollars while something
like building a brand new home will cost
upwards of $1,500 or more.
Once your application is submitted,
it can take as little as a few days and
as long as several months to get your
permit, depending on the size of your
renovation. Simple interior alterations like
kitchens or bathrooms may be issued in
a few days while renovations of around
1,000 square feet will likely take about
10 days.
Meanwhile more complex renovations
can take weeks or even months, pending
a zoning and building code compliance
review.
Talk to your renovator throughout the
process. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s important to keep the lines
of communication open at all times.
Your renovator is your partner in realizing
your dream of a newly renovated home
so itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s important to work with someone
you can trust.
Bryan Tuckey is president and CEO of the
Building Industry and Land Development
Association and a land-use planner who has
worked for municipal, regional and provincial
governments. Follow him on Twitter @bildgta,
facebook.com/bildgta, and bildblogs.ca.

PHOTOGRAPHY: BIGSTOCKPHOTO.COM

industry
expert

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2015-09-03 10:50 AM

TOP HONOURS

BILD Renovation and
Custom Home Awards
Quality and professionalism recognized at annual awards

BEST RENOVATION UNDER $75,000
MONARCH KITCHEN AND BATH CENTRE
The kitchen was integrated into a home’s
adjacent rooms to facilitate entertaining
while maintaining its “eat-in” functionality.

On March 11, BILD members
gathered at the Allstream Centre at
Exhibition Place where the top
renovators and custom home
builders in the GTA were
recognized at the Renovation and
Custom Home Awards by the
Building Industry and Land
Development Association (BILD).

The Renovation and Custom Home Awards are an annual program
created by BILD in 1999 to recognize professional renovators for
professionalism, quality of work and industry leadership. Nominees are
evaluated by a team of industry professionals with the Renovator of the
Year award also judged based on survey results from previous clients.
“This year’s winners demonstrate the importance of working with
professional renovators and custom builders while raising the bar for the
rest of the industry,” said BILD vice-president of membership and
RenoMark program manager, Helen Batista. “As the RenoMark program
grows, so does the quality of the submissions we receive every year.”

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2016-05-05 10:53 AM

BEST RENOVATION $75,000 - $150,000
CARICK HOME IMPROVEMENTS
The main floor of the home was customized
to match a contemporary design and
open-concept kitchen.

BEST RENOVATION $300,000 - $500,000
GREENING HOMES LTD. The first floor and basement of a century-old Victorian
semi-detached home was renovated by opening up the main floor and adding
contemporary materials, all while maintaining period details.

BEST RENOVATION $150,000 - $300,000
TIPEQ INC. An outdated, dysfunctional
semi-detached house was transformed into a
light-filled, energy-efficient, modern home.

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TOP HONOURS

BEST RENOVATION OVER $500,000
MEN AT WORK DESIGN BUILD LTD.
A modest traditional home in Toronto was transformed
into a spacious contemporary home designed for daily family
life and entertaining.

BEST CONDOMINIUM RENOVATION

BEST CUSTOM HOME

GOLDEN BEE HOMES INC To renovate a 3,000-square-foot condo
suite, walls were moved to alter the size of the master
bathroom, bedroom, kitchen and living space. Custom floors
and upgraded cabinetry were installed.

PROFILE CUSTOM HOMES This new home build reflects the best
qualities of modern design. A combination of openness,
simplicity and an indoor-outdoor connection made the home
stylish and practical for a family of seven.

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RENOVATOR OF THE YEAR

THREE
CHEERS
FOR
EURODALE
BY ANDREI ZARETSKI
PHOTOGRAPHY BY RODNEY DAW

For the third time in
five years, Eurodale
Developments takes
home the industry’s
top honour

T

oronto-based renovation
company Eurodale Developments was named Renovator
of the Year at the annual
Renovation and Custom Home Awards
by the Building Industry and Land
Development Association (BILD).
This award recognizes a renovator
who sets the standard for the rest of
the sector in their leadership and
commitment to customer service, as
well as contributing to the overall image
of the renovation industry.
This is the third time since 2010 that
the Toronto-based company has won
this prestigious award.

Jim Cunningham,
Eurodale Developments
and Steve Deveaux,
BILD Chair

Customer satisfaction is a key
component of the Renovator of the
Year award and all applicants are
required to submit a list of previous
clients to be surveyed. In the surveys,
Eurodale’s team was described as
extremely competent, with one client
stating that he will not hire anyone
else for future projects.
“Eurodale Developments continues
to demonstrate excellence in all aspects
of home renovation year after year,”
said BILD vice president of membership
and RenoMark program manager, Helen
Batista. “Past clients have praised the
company’s professionalism,

ABOUT BILD

BILD

would like to

CONGRATULATE
all the WINNERS
and FINALISTS

transparency and quality of work. It’s
rivalled only by their commitment to
driving the industry forward, as
evidenced by the countless hours the
company’s partners spend volunteering
for their Association.”
The company is an active member
of BILD and a regular contributor to the
Association’s advocacy and philanthropy
efforts. Eurodale co-founder Brendan
Charters has served on the BILD
Executive Committee and Board of
Directors, and was recognized in
January with the BILD Chair’s Award
of Merit for his contribution to the
industry and association.

For more information about
previous winners, or to find a
professional renovator across
Canada, visit renomark.ca.

With more than 1,450 members, BILD, formed through the
merger of the Greater Toronto Home Builders’ Association
and Urban Development Institute/Ontario, is the voice of the
land development, home building and professional renovation industry in the Greater GTA. BILD is proudly affiliated
with the Ontario and Canadian Home Builders’ Associations.

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R+D
garden
expert

PERFECT

Perennials
MARK CULLEN

BUTTERFLIES AND
HUMMINGBIRDS

SUN
• Foxglove ‘Camelot Lavender’
All foxgloves [sp. digitalis] attract
hummingbirds, but not all will bloom
as reliably in the second year and for
as long as this variety. If you enjoy
hummingbirds (and honey bees) you
will enjoy the extremely floriferous
nature of Camelot Lavender with the
look of traditional foxglove and the
modern benefits of disease resistance,
and the earliest flowering Foxglove that
I have ever seen. Plant in well-drained,
compost-rich soil.
• Purple Coneflower ‘Magnus’
Magnus is an extremely winter-hardy
plant that matures to a relatively short
60 cm but makes up for its stature by
blooming for eight weeks or more on
extremely aggressive plants. A butterfly
magnet too.
• Blanket Flower ‘Arizona Sun’
[sp. Gaillardia] In a sunny position in
the garden, you can’t keep this hardy
perennial down. Showy, three-inchwide single blooms feature mahogany

PARTIAL SUN/SHADE
• Coral Bells ‘Marmalade’
Coral Bells [sp. Heuchera] tolerate half
day of shade, thrive in full sun, bloom
for several weeks, lend themselves to
cutting, and are never bothered by
insects or diseases. The chartreuse
leaves of Marmalade attract lots of
attention during the entire growing
season while the soft-coloured flowers
bloom for up to seven weeks. Great for
hummingbirds.
• Coral Bells ‘Palace Purple’
I grow a group of Palace Purple at the
front of my perennial border nearest the
road. They attract so much attention
there that it is not unusual for pedestrians to stop, stoop and look at the name
on the tag. This variety is larger than
average and maintains its deep, darkcoloured foliage all summer long, even
in a sunny location. The flowers are
equally dark, adding a sense of mystery
to any garden.

Coral Bells

SHADE
• Hosta ‘Guacamole’ Any hosta that
blooms will attract its share of hummingbirds but this larger-than-average
variety outperforms most perennial
plants in the Canadian garden. Guacamole matures quickly to 50 cm, adds
drama to a shady garden with its wide
light-green leaves, and bears creamywhite flowers for an excessive four to
six weeks in June through July.
• Bleeding Heart ‘Luxuriant’
I discovered this improvement to the
traditional Bleeding Heart [sp. Dicentra]
a number of years ago and have kept
several growing near the forefront of my
perennial border ever since. Soft rose/
pink blooms appear in mid-June and
continue through September. Combined
with its winter hardiness, there is no
equal in the shade garden.
Other butterfly and hummingbird
plants include: bee balm [sp. Monarda],
butterfly weed [sp. Asclepias], joe-pye
wee [sp. Eupatorium], pincushion
flower [sp. Scabiosa] and yarrow [sp.
Achillea]. Those listed above are just a
few favourites of mine.

Mark Cullen is an expert gardener, author and broadcaster. Get his free monthly newsletter at
markcullen.com. Look for his new best seller, The New Canadian Garden’ published by Dundurn Press.
Follow him on Twitter @MarkCullen4 and Facebook. markcullen.com

PHOTOGRAPHY: BIGSTOCKPHOTO.COM

When I designed the 10-acre garden
around our new home 11 years ago,
I planted lots of perennials, right up
to the residence, that would attract
hummingbirds, song birds and butterflies. Here are some of my favourite
perennials for this purpose.
All of these perennials are terrific
garden performers that provide showy
blossoms for an extended period of time.

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10/05/2016 4:08:57
PM
2016-05-11
11:13 AM

R+D

design/build

expert

SHOULD I STAY
OR SHOULD I GO?
How to decide whether to move or to renovate

F

or a variety of reasons, homeowners often debate whether they should
move in order to have a living space that better suits the changes in their
lifestyle or stay in their existing home and renovate. Sometimes they need
more space for a growing family, or they’re looking ahead to aging-inplace features for themselves or to accommodate their parents moving in.
There’s a whole host of reasons to fuel a debate whether to stay or go.
Whereas moving could mean finding a home that needs no work and meets
most of your family’s criteria, it can be as costly as renovating but without the
mess. Yet renovating means you could have everything you want within the
budget you have available.
Many people start by consulting the MLS listings, attending open houses,
and touring available listings with a real estate agent. They often meet with
us too, and other contractors, to see what can be done at their home and for
how much money. If this describes what you’re going through, review the
process below to see if you can make a more informed decision.

COST COMPARISONS
Because the average detached home
in Toronto is over $1 million, this will
be the figure used to represent the
baseline value of the original home;
your present home, perhaps. A budget
of $500,000-plus is established to apply
to the purchase of a new home—resale
or a new build—or to your renovation
budget.
I have outlined the costs to consider
if you move up or if you renovate. For
accuracy, real estate lawyer Jeff Cowan
(Cowan Law) and Glenn Lott (Lott and
Associates chartered accountants)
have been consulted. The comparison
does not account for financing costs,
arrangement or other fees to obtain the
monies required for the upgrade as
they are assumed to be equal sources
and rates for both sides of the equation.

Sell the Existing Home
{SELLING PRICE, $1,000,000}
• Real estate commission (at 5%), $50,000
• HST could be $0. But be careful if you are
selling or buying a substantially renovated
home, GST may apply. Speak to
your accountant and lawyer.
• Home Inspection, or 3rd party PDI fee, $500.
It’s common for a vendor to show prospective
buyers the condition of the home and solicit
offers without conditions.
• Moving costs based on a 3-bedroom home,
$2,000-$3,000
• No utility account transfer fees

{PURCHASE PRICE TO MOVE, $1,500,000}
• Land transfer tax, $25,725 (Toronto), or $26,475 (Ontario)
• Legal fees, $1,000-$1,500
• Title insurance, $1,254
• Incidentals (registration of deed, mortgage, title search,
postage, couriers, etc.), $250-$350
• HST on purchase price and service fees (including the
assumed maximum HST rebate applied; assume the rebate
is assigned to the builder; this is common in new home sale
contracts), $181,335 new, or $10,335 resale
(New home builders’ listed sale prices often include HST,
reduced by the federal rebate maximum of $24,000; this is
assumed here)
• Home Inspection, or 3rd party PDI fee, $500
• Moving costs accounted for under Selling Existing Home
• Utility account transfer fees, $500

Total taxes and fees required to buy a $1,500,000 home,
assuming you sold at $1,000,000, could be up to $737,639
for a new home, or up to $566,639 to buy a resale.

Renovate the Existing Home
{RENOVATION BUDGET $500,000}
• Rental fee for 12 months at $2,000/month, $24,000
• No land transfer tax
• HST, $49,000. The 13% HST is applicable on renovation
costs; if substantial in nature, per CRA guidelines, a maximum
rebate of $16,000 is eligible, and is assumed here
• Home Inspection, or 3rd party PDI fee is not applicable here
• Moving costs, based on a 3-bedroom home, to relocate while
reno is underway, $2,000-$3,000
• No utility account transfer fees

Total taxes and fees required to renovate, $576,000.

The Bottom Line
Add together the cost to sell and the cost to buy: you could
spend $620,139 for resale, or $791,139 if it’s a new build
home. To renovate your existing home, you might spend
$576,000.
You can see how the math plays out.

RENOVATING VERSUS MOVING
PROS | You can enjoy a lot of improvements or upgrades
with the renovating budget outlined above. And you’ll
incur less interest to pay on the reno loan than you would
on increasing your mortgage over 20 or 25 years. Renovating also offers you the opportunity to select the systems
that you prefer in your home; involvement in the building
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DESIGN/BUILD EXPERT

process; and you have personal input on layout and the
finishes along the way.
By renovating, you also retain the familiarity of the area’s
amenities, such as schools, walkability of your neighbourhood,
the intimate knowledge of and memories you have made in
your current home.
One advantage of purchasing is timing. In two to three
months, you could complete the move and be settled into
another home. Whereas, building or renovating can easily take
12 to 18 months to complete, considering design time, applying
for permits and waiting for approvals, and the time to complete the work on the project.

CONS | When buying a new or resale home, those options are much less
available, if at all. While new homes in the GTA are generally built well, a resale
home may have undergone many previous renovations and could be hiding
some surprises that become obvious only well after moving in. A hot real estate
market is a prime time for cover-ups and emotional purchases. And, take into
consideration the ongoing bidding wars breaking the hearts of hopeful buyers
across the GTA.

Product vs. process–existing build or
build to suit–run the equation to decide

When moving, you also need to
consider the costs to make your old
home fit to sell: painting, landscaping, staging, all the fixes that need
to be made to attract prospective
buyers. And if you move into a
resale home, you’re likely to spend
more money to paint, personalize,
and freshen up some of the finishes
that are dated or failing, whereas a
new home does not require this
expense. And, you can’t pick your
neighbours; there’s only so much
insulation from a bad neighbour
that a privacy fence can buy you.

AT THE END OF THE DAY
Take your time and weigh the
differences between buying a
product—an existing home or
buying into a process—achieving
your perfect home. Do the math on
all of the costs involved, and include
all the emotional or lifestyle pros
and cons that come along with the
decision. With both sides of the
value equation in hand, you should
be able to make an informed
decision.

A Family Run Business Since 1979
96 Doncaster Ave., Thornhill, ON L3T 1L6
905.764.2489 • info@myshades.ca

IT DOESN’T JUST
LOOK BEAUTIFUL
With innovations like the Star ® Burner, which distributes heat more
evenly, Thermador has always made appliances that are as beautiful as
they are practical. Real innovations for real cooks – that’s what we’ve been
about for 100 years. And it’s what we are going to continue to be about
for another 100 years. Learn more at Thermador.ca

he National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) Ontario Chapter
revealed the winners of the 2016
Design Competition at their 13th
Annual Design Awards Gala on April 9.
Echoing this year’s theme, “Life is just a
Blanc Slate, what matters is what you
create,” dress code was optional white, and
the white backdrop put the focus on the
designers and their accomplishments.
Over 30 winners from across eight main
kitchen and bath categories and six specialty
categories, including the prestigious Pinnacle
Award and the People’s Choice Award, were
honoured and recognized for their creativity
and design excellence at the gala event.
Entries to the annual competition were
judged by a panel of NKBA-certified
designers (CMKBD, CKD, CBD) and industry
experts. All qualifying projects were scored
on various criteria, including NKBA guidelines, safety and ergonomics, elements and

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st
1PLACE
POWDER
ROOM

1st

PLACE
MEDIUM
KITCHEN

KRISTA FLASCHNER,
KF Design

principles of design, design planning,
creativity and presentation.
By featuring the winning designers at
the awards gala, and in this publication,
it brings awareness of the importance of
professional design to both the consumer
and within the industry.
This year’s Pinnacle Award winner was
Erica Westeroth CKD, CAPS, ARIDO and
co-designer Sheena Hammond, both of XTC
Design Incorporated, for their stunning,
sleek modern kitchen, which also took first
place in the large kitchen category. This
prestigious award is selected from all of the
first-place winning designs and represents
the best of all entries.
The People’s Choice Award, a HOMES
Publishing Group’s online contest, which
was voted on by RENO & DECOR readers
as well as industry peers and the general
public, was won by Jane Lockhart of Jane
Lockhart Interior Design for her beautifully
detailed traditional kitchen painted in a
soft shade of aqua.
Congratulations to all of the 2016 NKBA
Ontario Chapter design competition winners.
For a complete list of winners, go to nkba.ca

THE MISSION OF THE NKBA
IS TO ENHANCE MEMBER
SUCCESS AND EXCELLENCE,
PROMOTE PROFESSIONALISM
AND ETHICAL BUSINESS
PRACTICES, AND PROVIDE
LEADERSHIP AND DIRECTION
FOR THE KITCHEN AND BATH
INDUSTRY WORLDWIDE.

Sigrid is the principal designer and owner of
Avonbridge Interiors. She is a past president
of the NKBA, Ontario Chapter and currently
serves as VP of Academic Relations.

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THE GREAT OUTDOORS
A ROYAL ESTHETIC
Celect Cellular Composite Siding by Royal replicates the beauty
and esthetics of wood while remaining low maintenance and
durable on the home for a lifetime. All of Celect’s profiles–
4- and 7-inch Clapboard, 8-inch Board & Batten and 7-inch Shake
–are available in 18 fade-resistant colours and feature Royal’s
patented interlocking seam design, enhancing the curb appeal of
any home. ROYAL BUILDING PRODUCTS celect.royalbuildingproducts.com

CUSTOMIZE YOUR FACADE
With the finest and most complete
assortment of wood mouldings and
wood sidings, Central Fairbank Lumber
offers a range of designs and grades to
complement any architectural style. For
ultimate variety and versatility, they can
even produce wood products based on
your own designs. Visit either location
at 1900 Steeles Avenue West in Concord
or 2296 Gerrard Street East in Toronto.
CENTRAL FAIRBANK LUMBER centralfairbank.com

THE PERFECT OUTDOOR
ADDITION
Napoleon’s new Saint Tropez
Rectangular Patioflame Table is the
perfect addition to your outdoor
living space. It features a classic,
linear design that will match any
outdoor decor. With the Patioflame
Table you can have the campfire/
fire pit experience in your backyard without the mess and work,
or regulations, of a real wood fire.
NAPOLEON GRILLS napoleongrills.com

BRING THE KITCHEN
OUTDOORS
Nothing says summer like
cooking and entertaining
outdoors. Installing a wet bar
outside will make this even
easier and is simple with
Saniflo’s Sanivite. The compact
unit fits in a cabinet or under
the sink and pumps grey water
16-feet vertically and/or 150-feet
horizontally. It connects to a
sink or dishwasher, offering
multiple design options and
comes pre-assembled, saving
time and money on installation.
SANIFLO CANADA saniflo.ca

THE GREAT OUTDOORS
THE ULTIMATE PATIO AREA
The Cameron resin wicker sectional collection gives you
the opportunity to create the ultimate outdoor patio area.
This exclusive collection available at DOT Furniture features
a unique store option under the seat that can be used to
protect your cushions from the sunâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s harmful UV rays.
D.O.T. FURNITURE dot-furniture.com

PERFECT FOOD EVERY TIME
The Grillson Wood Pellet Grill is
available at Appliance Love, a unique
retail store. Whether used as a smoker,
barbecue or pizza oven, the automatic
temperature control will ensure
perfectly cooked food every time. Not to
mention the app, which allows control
of the temperature, timer and selfcleaning function right from your phone.
APPLIANCE LOVE appliancelove.com

EXCLUSIVE NEW
COLLECTION
Debbie Travis has launched a
new and exclusive collection
of Tuscan-inspired home
products with Sears Canada.
In her line is the Rosseau
Seven-Piece Dining and
Conversation Set (shown).
Built to withstand the
elements, this set is made
with full weather-proof wicker
and has cushions made from
Sunbrella fabric and quick
dry foam that suit any style.
Beautiful and versatile, the
chairs in the conversation set
are built to also work with the
dining set. To view Debbieâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s
full line of outdoor products
and accessories, go to the
Sears website.
DEBBIE TRAVIS COLLECTION sears.ca

EXPAND YOUR FLOORS OUTDOORS!
Outdoor Floors supplies and installs
stylish, durable and affordable deck tiles
on balconies, terraces and patios. Your
outdoor living spaces will be transformed
into something much more comfortable
and inviting. Their environmentally friendly
flooring is designed to endure extreme
climates and remain attractive for years to
come. Contact them for a free quote.
OUTDOOR FLOORS TORONTO outdoorfloorstoronto.com

UPSCALE RESORT LOOK
The Madrid Collection is a favourite among
architects and designers. The powder-coated
aluminum frame and tempered glass table
top accommodates six to eight people and
effortlessly expands to seat 12 with a wellengineered glass insert. The straight lines
and clean edges complement the contoured
mesh seating to provide an exceptionally
well-made stackable chair. A solid metal top
is also available in your choice of pewter or
white finish.ARD OUTDOOR ardoutdoor.com

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mmmm

Add some m
to your me time.
THE BACKYARD
OF YOUR DREAMS IS
CLOSER THAN YOU THINK.
Immerspa inground spas, minipools and pools are quick and easy
to install – and surprisingly well priced!

It’s really just a phone call away!

CALL US TO GET STARTED!

855.837.7265
or go to immerspa.com/homes

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APPLIANCES
SMART SOLUTIONS
Innovative thinking led to the world’s first Microwave Drawer Oven, an appliance that has helped
revolutionize kitchen design and microwave oven
placement. Sharp’s next-generation Microwave
Drawer is larger, sleeker and more accessible than
ever. With more convenience features, quieter
operation and a more integrated design, it is the best
solution yet for where to place the microwave.
SHARP ELECTRONICS OF CANADA LTD. sharp.ca

DESIGNED TO MATCH
Fisher & Paykel products
are designed for every
size space from a compact
apartment to a large family
room. With the performance
required by both a weekday
cook and a weekend gourmet,
they have the perfect match
for your kitchen, and the life
lived within it.
FISHER & PAYKEL fisherpaykel.com

WATER WALL
DISHWASHER
The Samsung Chef Collection
WaterWall Dishwasher is a
true game changer, bringing
professional cleanliness into
the home. The WaterWall
technology’s linear mechanism
moves along the bottom
of the dishwasher tub to
provide consistent high-water
pressure throughout the wash,
replacing traditional rotary
wash systems and creating
a powerful wall of water that
reaches from corner to corner
for full-cleaning coverage
every time.

Everything you need to live outdoors all summer long!
We have it all â&#x20AC;&#x201C; from outdoor serving to outdoor seating!
STRAWBERRY

JARDIN

Great stuff... great prices!
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2016-05-03 11:18 AM

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APPLIANCES
DEPENDABLE & DURABLE
Maytag’s front-load laundry pairs are better built to
deal with all your laundry needs. Driven by the
PowerWash system, the Maytag Front Load Washer
can handle your toughest loads. With optimized
heat and airflow, the Front Load Dryer works harder
to get rid of every bit of moisture in your clothes.
Available at quality retailers. MAYTAG maytag.ca

UNIQUE FRIDGE WITH
COFFEE MAKER
The GE Café refrigerator with Keurig
brewing system is a unique new product
coming to the market this month. It
allows you to brew your favourite cup of
coffee, right from your refrigerator door.
The GE Cafe + Keurig fridge has the
coffee maker built right into the water
filtration system. Whether you’re using
the Keurig K-Cup brewing system, the
hot-water dispenser, or simply enjoying
a glass of cold filtered water, the GE Café
refrigerator with Keurig brewing system
features GE’s Master Filtration System.
GE APPLIANCES geappliances.ca

KOMPAKT KITCHEN
The unique Kompakt Kitchen from Euro-Line Appliances features six appliances—
dishwasher, sink and faucet, two-burner induction cooktop, glide-out range
hood, speed oven and fridge/freezer—all in a six-foot space. The Porter&Charles
speed oven, with the versatility and convenience of both a microwave oven and
convection oven, offers many features
to meet different needs. The unique
two-burner induction cooktops offer
fast and responsive cooking while
saving energy. The ergonomically
designed Liebherr 24-inch fully
integrated fridge/freezer provides
ample storage room and ultimate
freshness. A Porter&Charles compact
dishwater features near silent
operation using less water.
EURO-LINE APPLIANCES INC.
euro-line-appliances.com

ONE-STOP SHOPPING
Jenn-Air’s Connected Wall
Ovens feature a first-of-its-kind,
full-functioning mobile app
experience, connecting you
with your kitchen, any time,
any place. This sophisticated
oven allows you to pre-heat,
check the cooking status, and
even turn off your oven from
the touch of your phone. The
innovative Culinary Centre is
an interactive system with a
touchscreen, full-colour LCD
display that allows you to
easily navigate your way to the
perfect meal. Simply select your
dish from a menu of over 50
food options, choose your pan
and how you’d like it cooked,
and walk away. Available at
premium independent retailers.
JENN AIR jennairblack.ca

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accessories
bath
bed
drapery
fabric
furniture
lighting

a collection of beautiful ideas for your home
cobistyle.com
Bath and bed at Sears stores and Sears.ca. Accessories, drapery, fabric, furniture and lighting at independent specialty stores across Canada.

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series of “Style Spots” created by RENO & DECOR contributors Glen Peloso and
Jamie Alexander became the stylish backdrop for this year’s R&D booth at the
2016 National Home Show. From the colours, lighting and furnishings, every
vignette Glen and Jamie brought to life was luxurious yet welcoming.
After 10 days, 120 hours, 20 design experts and nearly 400 clients, this year’s Design
Intervention booth was our best one yet. And so many visitors received knowledgeable
design help from the many experts at the booth.
None of this would have been possible without the talent and time dedicated by
booth designers Glen and Jamie. We were wowed and we thank you.
We would also like to acknowledge and thank our amazing suppliers: Glen and
Jamie, Peloso Alexander Furniture, Century Furniture, Bespoke My Place, JT & Company,
Bousada Flooring, XL Flooring, Marc Antonio Designs, Benjamin Moore, and Metrie.
These companies really stepped up to provide us products and services to help bring
this feature together.

PHOTOGRAPHY: LARRY ARNAL

Visitors Received
Solid Reno Advice at the
DESIGN INTERVENTION BOOTH

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MARK YOUR
CALENDAR!

FALL HOME
SHOW
September 29
– October 2
BETTER LIVING
CENTRE
EXHIBITION PLACE,
TORONTO

fallhomeshow.com
Kate Davidson

Paul Semkuley, Margaret Macdonald and Marla Baker

PHOTOGRAPHY: LARRY ARNAL

A special thank you to
all of the designers
who generously offered
their time to our booth
“speed-designing”
for our clients:
Glen & Jamie

Let us warm up your life!
Amercraft specializes in elegant, versatile, and durable radiators and towel warmers that are available in a variety of colours
and styles providing optimal comfort and presentation.
Let Amercraft provide you with year round customized climate control in any room of your house.
Enjoy a luxurious spa experiences in the comfort of your own home.

If you would like specific information about the products or services advertised in this issue, go
to renoanddecor.com and click on CONTESTS. Simply check the boxes for which you'd like more
information and submit it to us. Your request-for-information allows you to enter our Advertisers’ Index
contest for a chance to win a prize from Black & Decker!

BLACK+DECKER AutoSense Drill
BLACK+DECKER introduces its 20V MAX* Lithium Cordless Drill with
AutoSense™ Technology, the first drill that is designed to intuitively
understand when to stop screws flush with the work surface. It retails for
$99 and is available at Lowe’s, RONA, Home Hardware, and Amazon.ca
across Canada. For more information on BLACK+DECKER products, go to
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96 :: June/July 2016 renoanddecor.com

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Subscribe
Today!
Launched in 1990,
RENO & DECOR is
Canada’s Home Idea Book, inspiring
readers with the latest in tips and
trends for their decorating
and renovating projects.

Six Editions
Annually
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1. Order online & pay with PayPal, at our general subscribe page for a one
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A symbol of hospitality and reminiscent of tropical destinations, what better
way is there to welcome summer (and your guests) than to add a pineapple motif to
your decor? Although we have seen this cheerful trend peak over the past few years,
it is still steadfast popping up in quirky prints in wallpaper, serveware and traditional
lamp bases. And nothing quite lights up an outdoor party like a pineapple-themed
string of lights. We canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t seem to get enough of the pineapple! Perhaps it is our
penchant for mid-century modern or the recent rise of Tiki-type restaurants in the GTA
that is keeping this timelessly sweet pineapple a year-round staple around the home.

One of the easiest ways to save on your energy costs is
by installing a smart thermostat. Using sensors and Wi-Fi
technology, smart thermostats “adapt” to your schedule,
automatically delivering comfort when you’re there and savings
when you’re not. With our new Smart Thermostats Program,
you can receive a $100 bill credit applied to your Enbridge
account. Simply purchase and install one of the qualifying
smart thermostats and apply before December 31, 2016.*

Learn more at SmartThermostats.ca

*Offer valid from April 15, 2016 to December 31, 2016. Visit termsconditions.smartthermostats.ca for full terms and conditions.